Farmer Perception and Economic Prospect of Stingless Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) Development in West Halmahera

Abstract

Stingless bees are social bees distributed in Indonesia, including West Halmahera. However, they are not widely known for their value for human health, their role as pollinators, and how to cultivate them. West Halmahera has potencies to develop stingless bees due to its supportive agricultural environment. The aims of this research were to know the community perception of meliponiculture development and to analyze its economic potencies. Community perception analysis (scoring by Likert scale) used purposive sampling for nine respondents who are cultivating stingless bees in their locations based on the suitability analysis. Economic analysis used BEP, R/C Ratio, and ROI. The results showed that he respondents had common knowledge about the bees but less capability to cultivate (55.56%). Ecosystem suitability in West Halmahera was in the high category (66.67%). Most farmers were in full support of the development of the stingless bees for improving the additional family income and it will increase the crops production. The economic analysis showed that initiating business on this insect was quite reasonable because the BEP was < Production (0.33), BEP price 1.